UV Index in Utah (UT)

Utah has an average annual UV index of 6.5, classified as High . UV levels peak in June with an average of 11.5, reaching Extreme levels. During peak months, unprotected fair skin can burn in as little as 9 minutes. SPF 50+ sunscreen, protective clothing, and shade are strongly recommended. UV ranges from 6.5 in Ogden to 7.8 in St. George.

State Avg UV 6.5 High
Peak Month June UV 11.5
Highest City St. George UV 7.8
Lowest City Ogden UV 6.5

Monthly UV Index by City in Utah

The heatmap below shows the monthly average UV index for 6 cities in Utah. Colors range from green (low UV, 0-2) through yellow (moderate, 3-5), orange (high, 6-7), red (very high, 8-10), to purple (extreme, 11+). Hover over any cell to see the exact value.

City JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec Avg Peak
St. George 4 5 7 9 11 12 12 11 9 6 4 3 7.8 June
Moab 3 5 7 9 11 12 12 11 9 6 4 3 7.7 June
Park City 3 4 6 8 10 12 12 11 9 6 3 2 7.2 June
Salt Lake City 2 4 6 7 9 11 11 10 8 5 3 2 6.5 June
Provo 2 4 6 7 9 11 11 10 8 5 3 2 6.5 June
Ogden 2 4 6 7 9 11 11 10 8 5 3 2 6.5 June
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Sun Protection Recommendations for Utah

Based on the peak UV index of 11.5 (Extreme) during June, here are the recommended sun safety measures for Utah residents and visitors:

Extreme UV — Extreme risk. Unprotected skin and eyes can burn in minutes.

  • Apply SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen every 60-90 minutes
  • Wear full protective clothing, hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses
  • Avoid the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM
  • Stay in the shade as much as possible
  • Take all precautions — UV at this level is dangerous
  • White sand, water, and high altitude amplify exposure

Recommended sunscreen: SPF 50+ (reapply frequently)

Estimated Sunburn Times in Utah (June Peak)

Approximate time to first sunburn at peak UV (11.5) without sunscreen, by skin type:

Skin Type Description Time to Burn
Type I Very Fair 6 min (high risk)
Type II Fair 9 min (high risk)
Type III Medium 17 min
Type IV Olive 26 min
Type V Brown 35 min
Type VI Dark Brown/Black 43 min

Seasonal UV Patterns in Utah

Utah's UV index follows a seasonal pattern, with the lowest levels in December and January and the highest in June. Here are the state-average UV levels by month:

2.7
Jan
4.3
Feb
6.3
Mar
7.8
Apr
9.8
May
11.5
Jun
11.5
Jul
10.5
Aug
8.5
Sep
5.5
Oct
3.3
Nov
2.3
Dec

Summer months in Utah consistently reach Very High or Extreme UV levels. Outdoor workers, athletes, and beachgoers should take extra precautions from May through September.

How Utah Compares to Other States

Below is a comparison of Utah with five states that have similar average UV index levels. Understanding how your state compares helps put your sun exposure risk in context.

State Avg UV Level Cities
Utah (UT) 6.5 High 6
Colorado (CO) 6.5 High 7
Louisiana (LA) 6.3 High 5
California (CA) 6.8 High 10
Texas (TX) 6.8 High 10
Mississippi (MS) 6 High 5

Skin Cancer Risk Factors

UV radiation is the primary environmental risk factor for skin cancer. While the UV index in Utah is only one factor, understanding cumulative exposure is important. Key risk factors include:

  • Cumulative UV exposure — total lifetime sun exposure, especially sunburns before age 18
  • Skin type — fair skin (Types I-II) has significantly higher risk
  • Geographic location — Utah's high UV levels increase baseline risk compared to northern states
  • Altitude — higher elevations increase UV exposure significantly
  • Outdoor occupation/hobbies — agricultural workers, construction workers, golfers, runners, and beach visitors accumulate more exposure
  • Tanning bed use — artificial UV exposure dramatically increases risk

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends annual skin checks for everyone, with more frequent screenings for those with multiple risk factors. Early detection dramatically improves outcomes for all types of skin cancer.

Check UV for Your City

Use our UV index lookup tool to find your specific city in Utah, or browse all 50 states to compare UV levels across the country.